Thompson Coe serves as general counsel to a major independent utilities district that provides water service to several Dallas-area municipalities. Our guidance is not on water law itself, but on all the issues involved in the operation of such a large organization: from resolving employment disputes to revising the wording of the municipal water code.

We also provide general counsel representation to the elected officials and administrative agencies of a Texas county that, as one of the fastest growing in the country, has a variety of land use, economic expansion and residential development concerns.

Employment Law Counseling

Our lawyers advise members of all types of governmental bodies (including cities and counties, utility districts, water authorities, housing authorities, school districts and colleges, and other political subdivisions, as well as their elected and administrative officials) on employment law and civil rights concerns. We use our comprehensive labor law experience to represent govern-mental entities before arbitrators, administrative agencies and the courts.

In addition to observing state and federal laws governing employment, public entities must also comply with constitutional requirements as they formulate and administer their personnel policies and practices. We have defended public bodies against employment discrimination claims, advised them on new labor laws, and helped them avoid costly litigation.

We have a special emphasis on advising public school and college/university administrators and boards of directors on employment law issues ranging from terminations and grievances to civil rights compliance. Our lawyers represent educational clients in employment disputes both in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies, such as the Texas Workforce Commission, including representation in sensitive issues involving allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and affirmative action violations.

We are approved panel counsel for numerous insurance carriers which offer public sector employment practices liability and directors’ and officers’ liability coverage.

Representative Cases

• Boone v. Gibson, et al., 2008 WL 4791541, (N.D.Tex., October 31, 2008)
• In Re Matthew T. Hinterlong, 109 S.W.3rd 611, 179 Ed. Law Rep. 508 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003, orig. proceeding)
• Guinn v. Bosque County, 58 S.W.3d 194, 199 (Tex.App.-Waco 2001, pet. denied)
• Jurgens v. Wood County, Texas and Wesley Criddle, 248 F.3rd 1143, 2001 WL 184852 (5th Cir. 2001)
• McGilvray v. Moses, 8 S.W.3rd 761, 141 Ed. Law Rep. 377, (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1999, pet. denied)
• McCaffity v. Hurst-Euless-Bedford I.S.D, et al., 98 F.3rd 1339, 1996 WL 556888 (5th Cir. 1996)
• Frazier v. Garrison Indepen. School Dist., et al., 980 F.2nd 1514, 1527 (5th Cir. 1993)
• Tutton v. Garland Indepen. School Dist., 733 F.Supp. 1113, 54 Empl. Prac. Dec. 40,080, 18 Fed.R.Serv.3d 261; 59 Ed. Law Rep. 1057 (N.D. Tex. 1990)

Counsel to Non-Profit Organizations

From churches and religious organizations to homeowner and condominium associations, Thompson Coe offers guidance to non-profit organizations with a high public profile on employment matters, governance issues and litigation concerns.

Our special emphasis is on representing industry and trade associations. Our firm is general counsel to a major Texas chapter of a national trade association representing construction contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and related firms. We also advise a number of state and national insurance industry associations. Issues with which we assist include antitrust compliance, governance and fiduciary responsibility best practices, litigation counsel (including the filing of amicus briefs), public policy advocacy and maintenance of tax-exempt status.

We are approved panel counsel for several carriers which offer non-profit liability coverage to, e.g., homeowner associations, golf courses, etc.

Insurance Industry Governmental Counsel

As one of the nation’s leading advisors to insurance carriers and insurance industry associations, Thompson Coe helps our clients interface with insurance regulators and regulatory agencies nationwide. Our special emphasis is on helping clients comply with and respond to Texas Department of Insurance regulations and proceedings that focus on pricing, governance, licensing, business combinations and change of control.

We are also positioned to help industry clients with all their complex annual reporting requirements to state regulators. With a team that includes the first Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation for the State of Texas and former Chief of Staff for the Texas Department of Insurance, we have in-depth under-standing of insurance regulatory policies, procedures and personnel.

Summary: A Complete Understanding

Businesses, associations, public officials and individuals can all face complex disputes centering on the way in which government works. Thompson Coe lawyers who work with government and public entity clients know exactly how to help. We have the contacts at all governmental levels, the knowledge of public processes and the dispute resolution skills to protect the public sector interests of our clients.